I was in the store the other day and a woman in line was going off about the Vegas Shooting.
“They should just ban all guns! When are people going to realize no one needs guns!”
My “dander” was already up (I’ll get to that) and I turned to this woman and said;
Me: Oh, that isn’t even the beginning. There are so many things the Government really needs to do something about.
Her: I know. Things are really getting bad. Just look at the cost of groceries.
Me: I know, right? [reaching into her basket and pulling out a box of Fruit Loops]. $5?
Her: I know, it is ridiculous.
Me: And worse [making a show of sizing her and her daughter up – she was perhaps 5’2”, 5’3” 200 lbs and her daughter (10-12 years old?) had to be pushing 130 lbs] look at all of the obesity, heart issues and diabetes running rampant. The government should decide what you get to eat. After all, whether you kill someone by willfully and maliciously shooting them or by willfully and negligently poisoning them, what is the difference, right? [dropping the box of cereal back in her basket.]
Her: That is not even remotely the same. You’re just being rude.
Me: Oh yes it is, dear. Your daughter, there, does not stand a chance because of you.
[Keep in mind; I am not a “small” guy. 6’1” approx 225-230 lbs. Currently lower muscle mass than normal and the “spare tire” is bigger than I like. Working on that.]
Earlier this week I had a worker approach me about a raise. I asked him what he has done to deserve a raise.
Him: I show up on time every day.
Me: You do. Which is part of the reason you still have a job and are one of the first chosen for a project. You meet the first requirement for employment. But, what have you done to deserve a raise?
Him: I work hard!
Me: You do. Frequently our job requires hard physical labor under less than enjoyable conditions. You meet the second requirement for employment. But, what have you done to deserve a raise?
Him: I have been here for three years!!
Me: Yes you have. You have. You have had a few reviews and all of them have been positive. As such, you have received raises and now are at the highest wage rate for the job you perform. But, again, what have you done to deserve a raise?
Him: [confused look and rapid blinking]
Me: When was the last time you approached your supervisor or foreman about taking on more responsibility and additional training?
Him: I am certified in X, Y and Z.
Me: Yes, you are. The company paid for those courses, paid you an hourly wage while you took those courses, paid for your refreshers, paid you an hourly wage while you took those refreshers and will continue to do so, as long as you maintain the requirements for employment. Even though the company paid for all of those, they belong to you. You can take them to any other company and there is nothing I can do about that. Now, what have you done to deserve a raise? Have you asked about becoming a supervisor? We can always use more supervisors and are always interested in promoting our guys. Have you decided you want to be part of the Hazmat Crew? Better pay there. The hours can be screwy. And sometimes the work is worse than what you currently are qualified to do.
Him: I don’t want to be a supervisor or get called in the middle of the night or deal with dead bodies and such!
Me: So, what makes you think you deserve a raise?
Yesterday, I received a text from him: I cant believe you wont give me no raze. I gonna hav t talk t de other guy
That is how he wrote it. And he thinks he deserves a raise.
Yesterday was a not good day for my patience level: had a multi story medical building with a water damage.
Met a client (rep of the building owner- BR), the tenant (actually their infectious control manager- TR), the tenant’s consultant (a CIH- TC) and the Employee’s Union Rep’s Consultant (also a CIH- UC)( and don’t get me started on Unions) (and, No, I do not know why the “tenant” and the “employees” insist on separate representation. They just always seem to do.)
BR: How are we doing.
Me: Not too bad, but I do think we should demo some areas, I am not happy with the rate of improvements.
TR: What do you mean?
Me: Many areas are nearly dry, but a few areas are not drying at the rate I would like. Soon, we will exceed the value of remove and replace.
TC: No, you can pull your equipment now. This building is dry.
UC: No it isn’t! He has even removed equipment from areas still wet!
Me: [sigh ]
TR: [Turns to me] Is that true?
Me: No. Every place I have removed equipment is dry. I actually have not removed any equipment; I just allocated it to other areas to expedite the drying process.
{General arguing ensues. I stay out of it, even though many of the comments are directed at my competency level.}
TH: Look! [takes moisture meter with penetrating probes and “pricks” probes into wall] Dry!
Me: [to BR] If I may?
BR: Please!
Me: [to TH] If you want to use penetrating probes to perform a moisture assessment, you need to seat the probes completely and firmly into the material you are testing.
TH: [confused look]
Me: Place your probes against the wall and push.
TH: I am not going to put holes all over the place!
Me: Which is why I used a Thermal Camera and non-penetrating moisture meter to check the walls and insulated probes through my ventilation holes to check the insulation. Now, I am calling for that wall, in particular, to be removed. Push the probes in.
BR: Do it. I won’t hold you responsible for any repairs.
TH: [Pushes probes into wall and meter indicates “wet”.] Oh. I see.
UH: [using his Thermal camera] Look at this over here. All of those shaded areas? Those are wet and you removed the equipment from those areas!
Me: [to BR] May I?
BR: Please. [small smile, apparently he is enjoying this. I am not; I have had a long week.]
Me: A Thermal camera will only show you temperature differences in the materials. That wall? Above the 20” mark registers 7-9% moisture content. Where the shaded areas are? Registers 12-14% moisture content. Anything below 16% is “dry”. There is still, of course, continued stabilization going on, hence the temperature differences, but it is till “dry”. A Thermal Camera is a good tool to help speed up the assessment process, but you still need to use a moisture meter.
TR: So, why not leave the equipment until it all stabilizes?
Me: I’d love to. I’d make some awesome money doing that. [turn to BR] Well? Can I do that?
BR: Um, is it necessary?
Me: Not at all, but I’ll I have no problem taking additional monies. As long as you understand where it is going.
UH: What about mold?
Me: What about it? [yes, sometimes I can be a jerk]
UH: You have a responsibility to make sure no mold grows here.
Me: No I don’t.
UH/TH/TR: Yes you do.
Me: No. I do not. You all have a responsibility for that. I am hired to DO that. Which, I am doing. Mold will not grow below 16% moisture content. Hence, the drying to below 16%. I am not confident I will have these few areas dry before that occurs. So, [turning to BR] I want to remove those walls and insulation.
These are folks others rely upon to check things out for them and they do not know how to use their equipment. Ultimately I got the authorization to remove materials as I deem needed.
Everywhere I go these days, I am surrounded by stupid. I am getting full. Well, things to do today. Not sure if this constitutes a “rant” or I am just “whining”. Thanks for listening. Stay the course and stay strong.
Last edited by MikeK; Today at 01:12 PM.. Reason: Do not bypass the language filter. Reread site rules for clarification.
Rant or whining, not sure which.
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